Fan Disenchantment Pulls Down NHL's Brand Value, Study Finds

A study released today by consultancy firm Brand Finance finds the NHL lockout "has left many Canadian hockey fans feeling slighted by the NHL, a factor that has pulled down its overall brand value." The firm estimates the league will lose nearly US$328.2M in brand value in '13 "as fans spend less money on hockey." The report was "coupled with a survey of Canadian hockey fans completed by its partner firm Level 5," which showed that 41% of casual hockey fans feel "more negatively about the sport" following the lockout (CP, 2/13).